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The GFW Small Grants Fund: Empowering Civil Society to Combat Deforestation

Deadline: 06-Feb-2026

The Global Forest Watch (GFW) Small Grants Fund (SGF) supports civil society organizations in combating illegal or unplanned deforestation through advocacy, monitoring, journalism, capacity building, and policy engagement. Grants range from $10,000 to $40,000 USD, with projects running from June 2026 to May 2027, targeting communities in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Eligible organizations are legally constituted non-profits with proven financial management and English-speaking project staff.

Overview

The GFW Small Grants Fund (SGF) empowers civil society organizations to transform data into action for forest protection. By combining technological tools with community engagement, the program strengthens monitoring, advocacy, and enforcement initiatives while promoting evidence-based decision-making. The SGF focuses on practical, community-driven solutions to prevent deforestation, safeguard ecosystems, and protect local livelihoods.

Key Focus Areas

  1. Advocacy

    • Use GFW and Global Nature Watch tools to advocate for land rights and policy changes

    • Develop open data platforms to highlight overlapping concessions with ancestral lands

    • Mobilize communities to apply public pressure for sustainable land management

  2. Forest Monitoring and Enforcement

    • Train Indigenous communities and local organizations in evidence collection

    • Strengthen forest monitoring brigades

    • Train law enforcement officials to use satellite imagery and geospatial data for timely enforcement

  3. Journalism and Storytelling

    • Produce data-driven stories, visualizations, and videos to raise awareness of illegal deforestation

    • Highlight impacts on ecosystems, local communities, and livelihoods

  4. Capacity Building and Stakeholder Engagement

    • Train communities and law enforcement in forest monitoring and verification

    • Co-design land defense strategies with local stakeholders

    • Develop educational resources for non-experts

  5. Informing Land Use Management and Policy

    • Train smallholder farmers to monitor their lands

    • Conduct research to influence policy and land use planning

    • Identify areas for nature-based solutions and ecosystem services projects

Funding Details

  • Grant Size: $10,000 – $40,000 USD per project

  • Number of Projects: ~12 per cycle

  • Project Duration: June 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027

  • Geographic Focus: Eligible countries in Latin America, Africa, and Asia

Eligible Countries

Latin America: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname
Africa: Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Republic of the Congo
Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Vietnam, and additional countries within the region

Who is Eligible?

  • Legally constituted non-profits with annual budgets over $50,000 USD

  • Must have a computerized financial system

  • Ability to provide audits or financial statements for the past two years

  • At least one project contact proficient in English

How to Apply / Submission Guidelines

  1. Prepare a project proposal aligned with one or more focus areas

  2. Ensure your organization meets eligibility criteria

  3. Submit the application via GFW’s online grant platform (details available on the GFW website)

  4. Include financial documentation and verification of organizational capacity

  5. Clearly outline project outcomes, monitoring plans, and community impact strategies

Tips for Applicants

  • Align proposals with data-driven strategies and evidence-based interventions

  • Highlight community involvement and stakeholder collaboration

  • Demonstrate capacity to monitor and evaluate project outcomes

  • Ensure compliance with financial and reporting requirements

  • Leverage GFW tools and datasets to strengthen project credibility

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can international NGOs apply? Only legally registered non-profits in eligible countries may apply.
Q2: What is the maximum grant amount? $40,000 USD per project.
Q3: How long will projects run? One year, from June 1, 2026, to May 31, 2027.
Q4: Are for-profit organizations eligible? No, only non-profit organizations qualify.
Q5: Is prior experience in forest monitoring required? Not mandatory, but demonstrated capacity and experience strengthen applications.
Q6: Can one organization submit multiple proposals? Typically, one proposal per organization per cycle is allowed; check official guidelines.
Q7: What are reporting requirements? Projects must submit financial statements, progress updates, and final reports upon completion.

Conclusion

The GFW Small Grants Fund 2026 provides an opportunity for civil society organizations to combat deforestation through advocacy, monitoring, capacity building, and policy engagement. By leveraging data and community involvement, projects funded under this initiative aim to protect forests, empower local communities, and influence sustainable land use policies across Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

For more information, visit Global Forest Watch.